Bargain Bites 2013

October 24, 2013

Our best bets for dining on the cheap in the Bay Area, broken down into categories from bar food to ramen to taquerias and beyond.

John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

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Turtle Tower: After losing its lease and being closed for a large part of the year, this beloved Northern Vietnamese style pho house reopened in June a few doors down from its original spot in a bright, sunny room that's always bustling. Chicken pho ($6.75/$8.25) is the specialty, with a clear broth that is soothing with a deep chicken flavor. Other soups, such as beef stewed in wine sauce ($6.50/$8), aren't as exciting, but the sticky rice with Chinese sausage ($7) and banh mi ($4.75) are excellent.

For info on our two other picks for bargain Vietnamese, Bun Mam Soc Trang and Golden Star Vietnamese, click here.

John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

29of81

Turtle Tower: After losing its lease and being closed for a large part of the year, this beloved Northern Vietnamese style pho house reopened in June a few doors down from its original spot in a bright, sunny room that's always bustling. Chicken pho ($6.75/$8.25) is the specialty, with a clear broth that is soothing with a deep chicken flavor. Other soups, such as beef stewed in wine sauce ($6.50/$8), aren't as exciting, but the sticky rice with Chinese sausage ($7) and banh mi ($4.75) are excellent.